It had somehow turned into a divination scene.
Kogoro Mouri and Conan were not interested in this kind of thing at all, so when Ran and Sonoko started getting excited and chattering, the two of them felt it was a bit redundant to just sit there.
"Come on, what do you want to divine?"
"Let me think... Can I predict who Yoshiki likes?"
"Hahaha, I don't even need divination to answer that. He undoubtedly likes me!"
"...Ran, you know divination isn't something you can trust."
"You dare question me!?"
As the saying goes, three women make a play.
But in reality, Ran was just smiling helplessly. The ones truly performing were Koizumi Akako and Sonoko.
Hayashi Yoshiki, who witnessed this scene, just smiled quietly. He took out a notebook and a pen, opened it, and began writing something inside.
Conan's attention was gradually drawn to the sound of writing.
"Brother Yoshiki, have you figured out Kaito Kid's methods?"
"I didn't see that."
Was that true, or just a lie?
Considering the comrade-in-arms relationship between Hayashi Yoshiki and Kaito Kid, Conan seriously suspected that not only was Yoshiki letting Kid go, but he might even be secretly tipping him off.
And now, the fact that he suddenly took out a notebook to start taking notes made it even more suspicious.
Conan asked directly, "What are you writing?"
"I suddenly had a novel idea, so I wrote it down."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he continued writing.
The story's name?
"Famous Gangster Maotai."
The protagonist, Gin, is a high school delinquent from Kanto. One day, while going to an amusement park with his gang brother Vodka, he witnesses a man in black named Shinichi conducting an illegal transaction with Inspector Megure. After being discovered, Gin is drugged by the man in black and his body shrinks. He adopts the alias Moutai and temporarily moves in with Vodka.
At Teitan Elementary School, he meets Cohen, Chianti, and Tequila, and together they form a group of notorious troublemakers.
There's also a phantom thief called Kid, whose real name is Nakamori Ginzo. He often steals things and repeatedly clashes with Officer Kuroba. However, Kid's record is abysmal—he is always caught and released, caught and released, each time without managing to get away successfully. No one knows his true identity.
Kuroba Kaito is the officer specifically in charge of capturing Kaito Kid. Because of his handsome appearance, every time he goes on patrol, crowds of fans gather to watch him. To Kaito Kaito, capturing Kid is just a game—he easily arrests him time and again. They are mortal enemies.
…
"Then, can you help me predict if I can marry my dream prince charming?"
"It really is this kind of question." Akako Koizumi wasn't surprised at all. She laughed proudly and then turned her attention to the crystal ball before her.
"Okay then, I'll grant your wish... My magic crystal ball, reveal to me the prediction—!"
As she chanted, the lavender crystal ball gradually began to glow.
The incredible scene made Ran and Sonoko gape in amazement. They couldn't help but lean closer to the crystal ball.
Even Conan was a little surprised.
But he suspected there was probably a light switch hidden inside the device.
Akako Koizumi stared deep into the crystal ball, slowly discerning the images inside, and said, "As for the prince charming in your heart... I think it's unlikely. I suggest you give up, because... ahem!"
She nearly said, because the one he likes is me—after seeing Hayashi Yoshiki's figure inside the crystal ball—but even Koizumi Akako knew those words would be too aggravating to say aloud.
"Ha!?"
Sonoko, who had just started to feel a flicker of hope, instantly had a giant question mark over her head.
Conan immediately laughed. "She's telling you not to ask anymore—because it'll only make you sad."
After hearing that, Sonoko suddenly felt awful.
She clenched her fists, nearly gritting her teeth, and glared fiercely at Akako Koizumi who had tricked her. Then she smacked Conan on the head.
"Oww!" Conan cried out in pain.
"I told you to stop talking nonsense!"
Hayashi Yoshiki watched as a lump visibly formed on Conan's head. Curious, he reached out and pressed on the swollen bump.
"It hurts so much!!" Conan covered his head and yelled at Yoshiki in protest.
At this moment, Sonoko was very dissatisfied with the result of the divination, but since Akako was Yoshiki's friend, she begrudgingly let it slide.
Ran could only smile bitterly, patting her friend's shoulder to comfort her, then quickly changed the subject. "Brother Yoshiki, do you have any ideas about catching Kaito Kid?"
"I suppose I do."
"If we want to catch him, we have to figure out how he's walking in the sky." Kogoro Mouri straightened his collar and said seriously, "Otherwise, if that guy floats over from the sky, we won't be able to stop him from taking the Blue Miracle hanging in the museum."
"But maybe..." Hayashi Yoshiki said calmly, "We don't need to crack his trick."
"What do you mean?"
"Kaito Kid always acts in secret. He only appears suddenly at the appointed time... but this time, he shows off his new magic in such a high-profile way. Don't you think it's strange?"
Hayashi Yoshiki paused, giving everyone a moment to digest his words. "The essence of magic is sleight of hand—it's all about using props and misdirection to deceive the audience."
Conan immediately caught on.
His face lit up. "You mean his performance last night was misdirection! He made us think he'd walk through the air to steal the gem, but in fact, he might be using another method entirely!"
"It's just a possibility."
But the more Conan thought about it, the more it made sense. After this spark of insight, many of the mysteries in his head suddenly unraveled.
Soon, he jumped off his chair, shouted that he needed to leave for a bit, and sprinted toward the elevator.
Ran didn't even have time to stop him.
"It's fine. He's probably going to notify the officers downstairs." Hayashi Yoshiki said as he stood up, smiling. "I'll go with him."
Akako Koizumi wasn't surprised to see him leave the table mid-conversation.
Because she had already divined that something interesting would happen tonight.
That was the only reason she came—to witness this moment.
"Brother Yoshiki is gone too…"
"Akako, did you meet Yoshiki just because you told his fortune?"
Ran looked over at Koizumi Akako and asked curiously.
"Yeah, that guy chased me all the way to my school and begged me for a divination."
"Who would believe that!" Sonoko pouted. She couldn't imagine Hayashi Yoshiki being so interested in fortune-telling.
Ran tugged at the hem of Sonoko's clothes.
Sonoko leaned in, and Ran whispered, "Aren't you even a little curious about what Yoshiki was writing down just now?"
"Well..."
Looking at Hayashi Yoshiki's retreating back, Sonoko couldn't help but feel curious.